A signature synonymous with sustainable development

The economic history of the Gaspésie region has long revolved around natural resources. Today, finding ways to enhance and transform raw materials locally has become an essential step along the path to creating jobs and wealth. This new imperative has given rise to a new breed of company that, born under the signs of creativity and sustainable development, is exemplified in the firm CONTACT-Signature. The company’s founders, a group of visionaries with an acute awareness of the latent potential of logging residues and underexploited wood species, decided they were going to hedge their bets on diversification and green products to help revitalize the local economy.

An all-natural stand

All of CONTACT-Signature’s products, as well as all of the materials from which they are made, reflect the company’s philosophy toward management and environmental responsibility. From its roof shingles and exterior coverings to its rustic banisters, eaves troughs and suspended wooden ceilings, everything is a testimony to innovation and originality while answering the latest trends in eco-construction. In addition to their aesthetic beauty, which melds perfectly with Scandinavian-type architecture and new construction styles, the species used by CONTACT-Signature—mainly cedar, larch and aspen—stand up well to the northern climate. These species are also a good alternative to products that may be potentially harmful to the environment.

In addition to its building products, CONTACT-Signature operates two other divisions that round out its ambitious project: CONTACT-Nature, a rural village of the future, and CONTACT-Innovation, a research action committee. “Our project is unique not only by virtue of its nature, but also by its organization. We have woven an entire community of projects (scientific, civil society, financial partners) throughout all of our operations in order to achieve sustainable development and create economic and social spinoffs,” explains the company’s General Manager, Ronald Arsenault.

The project takes root

After conducting a commercial pre-test to sound out the market, the entrepreneurs made their way to Canada Economic Development’s door. Given the added value the project promised to bring to a key industry in the Gaspésie, namely forest development, the Agency agreed to help finance the acquisition of the manufacturing equipment the company needed to open its plant. As it turned out, some of the equipment was even custom manufactured by a local SME, thereby further leveraging the benefits.

“We were all professionals concerned about such issues as climate change, the forestry crisis and globalization. We wanted to do something that would help foster the emancipation of rural communities by addressing these issues,” adds Ronald Arsenault.

Still in first year of operations, CONTACT-Signature already expects to post sales 20% higher than initially projected. While organizing and working out the kinks of this startup still obviously demands a lot of energy, CONTACT-Signature is confident about the future. The potential for development is clearly there, and the company is continuing to build on its various products to pursue its growth over the medium range.